Mortgage fraud increased to 38 in every 10,000 applications, up from 35 in 2011.

Almost 90 per cent of attempted mortgage fraud last year was down to people giving false information, including their employment status or attempting to hide a poor credit history.

And the fraud was the highest among middle aged, middle class and skilled working class people - accounting for 15 per cent of this type of fraud.

However, Experian said that fraudulent applications for current accounts had fallen sharply last year – after peaking in the first quarter the total number recorded fell by 25 per cent.

The majority of attempted current account fraud was down to people 'misrepresenting their personal information' on applications. For example, trying to hide their credit history when opening a current account or applying for an overdraft.

Some 29 per cent of cases were down to ID fraudsters seeking to open accounts, often for other credit products, or for money laundering.

Experian: Overall, fraudulent applications edged up by 3 per cent across the financial services sections.

Nick Mothershaw, UK&I director of identity & fraud at Experian, said: 'The drop is very much the result of better systems and vigilance by financial services providers.

'The fact that recorded attempted fraud figures for current accounts are declining is a clear testament to the improved vigilance and scrutiny institutions are now employing.

'A decline in current account fraud is a positive step for the financial services industry as current account fraud is often the first step for fraudsters who later plan mortgage, loan or credit card deception.'

The amount of people trying to commit automotive fraud also fell last year, fraudulent applications were down from 23 in every 10,000 in 2011 to 17, in the same number, last year.